John McCain: Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico Could Be 'Up For Grabs' In 2012

WASHINGTON -- Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) said Sunday that Republicans should tread carefully on the issue of immigration so they do not alienate Latino voters, adding that the party may be able to win in key southwestern states if they can appeal to Latinos.

"I think that the Republican party needs to discuss that issue in as humane a way as possible," he said on CNN's "State of the Union."

McCain acknowledged that the issue of immigration is important to many Latino constituents, which has been borne out by recent polling on the issue. Latino voters largely support some type of path to citizenship for the estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants living in the United States, according to a November poll from Univision and Latino Decisions.

In the same poll, a majority of voters said they believe Republicans who say the border must be secured before any type of immigration reform can proceed -- as nearly all of the GOP field has said -- are likely trying to delay this reform.

Still, McCain said Republicans may be able to win over Latinos by talking about the need for more border enforcement. McCain repeatedly said during his 2008 presidential campaign that he would secure the border; one of his commercials featured a clip in which he said the government should "complete the danged fence."

If Republicans continue to push border security and "humane" treatment of the undocumented, they could win in Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado and Texas, he said.

"I view the Hispanic vote as up for grabs," he said. "I still believe that most Hispanics agree that we need to secure the border, if for the drugs."

He said he still opposes "amnesty," or paths to citizenship for the undocumented immigrants currently in the country.

"The fact is we do not want to encourage another flood of illegal immigrants by believing that if we can get across our border, they will therefore be home free," he said. "It's a careful balance of addressing this issue, which I think a majority of Hispanics would appreciate."

CORRECTION: A previous version of this post noted that McCain acknowledged the issue of immigration is important to many Latino candidates. He was in fact referring to constituents.

Comments

[dbrett480]

09:08 PM on 12/08/2011

I could see Colorado and New Mexico being up for grabs, but AZ is pretty safe Republican territory.

[Dieter Zerressen]

12:09 PM on 12/06/2011

If any Latino votes for these hate mongers they have only themselves to blame for more laws like those in Arizona and Alabama.

[Yankeebrown]

08:09 AM on 12/06/2011

Yes McCain toe-the-line But you can forget about my vote!

[ADCSM]

07:57 PM on 12/05/2011

Politics like the military is a good ol' boy system of people purely looking out for their individual interests and personal agendas. Both of these entities or corporations (for a better word) are nothing more than a BIG MACHINE and we the average citizen and servicemember are nothing more than a nut or bolt within the machine that will be easily discarded if we do not "go along" with the B.S. which we are fed. You will quickly find this out if you decide to speak your mind.....here is what I have recently learned.....RESPECT and LOYALTY are earned and should not be given away cheaply just so you can be part of a unethical TEAM...I will never again give mine away for a cheap price of the sake of perceptions.

[sirskylerwolf]

06:05 PM on 12/05/2011

re: I have been told on one of my Huff Post replies President Obama does not respect the people of the United States. I believe it is proper to ask in response: How has this President not respected the American people in his service to our great nation?
If you wish to debate then I welcome it. On the other hand if you are going to jest or try to best me with common paraphrases from some conservative blog or parrot what you have been told to say in verbatim from a ultra-conservative news agency whom has won a verdict in a Superior Court of Florida, to (by law) and has the right to tell lies. Then I would say there is no need for that debate because we would be wasting each other’s time.
Either way, I am always respectful enough to thank you for your time and have a great day.

[Osmona]

04:46 PM on 12/05/2011

To my Hispanic brothers and sisters, DO NOT FALL FOR THE GOP LIES. Period.

[amd02148]

12:54 PM on 12/06/2011

Faved Osmona already a long term fan.

[hhoc612710]

04:32 PM on 12/05/2011

Why suddenly use the word "HUMANE" talking about immigration reform? Republicans aknowledge that the issue of immigration is important to Latinos constituents. Newt want to appeal to Latinos this is why is used it

[Jim NLN]

03:44 PM on 12/05/2011

John McCain warns republicans: Turn down that music, get off of my lawn!

[Jeffin90019]

02:41 PM on 12/05/2011

....Afterwards, he told the neighbor kids to get off his lawn. Cindy came out of the house and told John to close the front of his bathrobe. Then he went into the house and ate oatmeal out of a hat.

[Jack Kalpakian]

02:28 PM on 12/05/2011

McCain is assuming a sane GOP. That ended on 20 January 2009. The truth is that we have Republican state governments willing to sacrifice whole industries, and their tax revenues, in order to keep Hispanics out of the country -- and we dare call the Serbs nationalist?

[CSKAP]

02:25 PM on 12/05/2011

Yes we have many people who say, “Round up all 12 million and deport them all” and we stand by them BUT, we’d really like for you to vote for us anyway.
Remember when we deported 1 kid back to Cuba? It went so well, multiply by 12 million.

[Mort Adela]

01:31 PM on 12/05/2011

Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) said Sunday that Republicans should tread carefully on the issue of immigration so they do not alienate Latino voters...

Translation: 'We need to pander to them, tell them whatever they want to hear, just to get their votes.' Actually, that sums up McCain's entire career in politics.

[amd02148]

08:59 PM on 12/05/2011

Fanned/faved Mort Adela

[Grunty1]

01:30 PM on 12/05/2011

Not bad advice John, but its a tad bit late, don't you think?

[nypapajoe]

01:12 PM on 12/05/2011

All Hispanics should boycott any and all Republican Bagger candidates that has endorced or has signed any pledge calling for immigration blanket deportation or not taxing the ultra rich or corporations!

[PublicCitizen21044]

01:10 PM on 12/05/2011

The GOP needs to stop the race based politics and come up with some positive solutions to the current crisis they have put us in with their warring and divisive ways/politics.